5th Wheel Towing
#21
09-27-2010, 01:47 PM
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Location: Columbia, IL
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Mine isn't a 5th wheel, but I have a 24' enclosed trailer that was loaded to the brim...as in I tried to use every single cubic inch of space when helping a friend move to northern Michigan. With my half ton hemi 3.55, only thing not stock is the tires and they are 285/70/17. Pulled like nothing and got about 10 MPG through the hilly terrain. Granted the hills would slow me down 5 MPH, or the couple real big ones 10 MPH, when I tried to keep the tranny from downshifting...I learned real quick to just try to speed up the 5 MPH then I'd be right where I wanted to be at the top of the hill, and never downshifted.
I turned the O/D off my 1998 and it never down shifted. I'd set cruise and still get the same mileage.
#22
10-06-2010, 11:26 AM
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From this discussion I understand that if I want to tow something not very light I will need:
- re-gear to 4:56 front & rear
- set air-bags (are they for rear only?)
- install brake controller
- install hitch class IV
- use weight distribution hitch?
do I forget something? This list looks like couple grands of investment before any towing...
- re-gear to 4:56 front & rear
- set air-bags (are they for rear only?)
- install brake controller
- install hitch class IV
- use weight distribution hitch?
do I forget something? This list looks like couple grands of investment before any towing...
#23
10-06-2010, 01:31 PM
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Columbia, IL
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From this discussion I understand that if I want to tow something not very light I will need:
- re-gear to 4:56 front & rear
- set air-bags (are they for rear only?)
- install brake controller
- install hitch class IV
- use weight distribution hitch?
do I forget something? This list looks like couple grands of investment before any towing...
- re-gear to 4:56 front & rear
- set air-bags (are they for rear only?)
- install brake controller
- install hitch class IV
- use weight distribution hitch?
do I forget something? This list looks like couple grands of investment before any towing...
Ask yourself 2 questions:
What will I be towing?
How do I want to tow it? (5th Wheel, Gooseneck, Tounge Hitch)
With that said, these are usefull in all cases:
- set air-bags (for rear)
- install brake controller
The rear gears depend on trailer weight.
5th wheel hitch installed around $600-$700.
Brake Controller installed $100 - $150
This is all I have thus far, and all I had on my previous truck.
My 1998 Dodge had 17" stock rims with 245HP and 3.90 gears
My 2007 Dodge has 20" stock rims with 345HP and 3.55 gears
I'm headed outta town tomorrow.
#24
10-06-2010, 01:32 PM
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#25
10-06-2010, 01:37 PM
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You are right, forgot to mention that I'm planning to buy a travel trailer. 5th wheel more expensive and, as far as I understand, heavier than travel trailer. Actually I don't understand what is the functional difference between 5th wheel and travel trailer.
#26
10-06-2010, 02:53 PM
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Heavier, I'm not sure about that, but the wieght is more stable on the trailer axles and less weight on the truck. Also placing the weight distribution over the rear axle makes it easier on the truck to handle (weaving). 5th Wheel and Gooseneck make heavy easy.
#27
10-06-2010, 03:12 PM
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#28
10-06-2010, 04:16 PM
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Packed and ready to go, with the bedroom remodel I did, prolly pushing 7,000lbs, and that's the heavier wood frame with no slideouts.
#30
10-07-2010, 09:08 AM
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a 6000 pound travel trailer, when set up correctly (loaded evenly, for approx 10% tongue weight) will put 600 pounds on your hitch-ball. That puts a lot more leverage on the truck's axle (which causes the front end to get jacked up into the air), than 1000 pounds on a 5th wheel hitch set up with the pin at or just ahead of the axle.
This is why the ball-hitch needs/requires an equalizer hitch - but that doesn't perfectly solve the dynamic issues that towing with a ball mounted hitch presents.
Trailer sway control must be engineered into a rear ball hitch/equalizer set-up, and is already inherent in a correctly placed 5th wheel.
This is why the ball-hitch needs/requires an equalizer hitch - but that doesn't perfectly solve the dynamic issues that towing with a ball mounted hitch presents.
Trailer sway control must be engineered into a rear ball hitch/equalizer set-up, and is already inherent in a correctly placed 5th wheel.
Last edited by Bent; 10-07-2010 at 09:10 AM.